Shawn Layden, a former top executive at PlayStation, is hinting at a new TV series he believes will be as impactful to gaming as the show Mad Men was to television. Layden led Sony Interactive Entertainment as CEO from 2014 until 2019, and after a brief time away from the industry, he served as an advisor for Tencent Games from 2022 to 2024. Now, he’s suggesting exciting new projects are on the horizon.
Although Shawn Layden has stepped back from a public role in gaming, he’s remained active in the industry behind the scenes. In addition to his work with Tencent, he’s been involved with several new companies, many of which focus on gaming. He recently shared that he’s developing a television series, and now hints it might draw inspiration from the popular show Mad Men.
Former PlayStation CEO Shawn Layden Teases Next Project
In a recent interview with Game Rant, Shawn Layden hinted at a new television series he’s developing. He described it as being similar to Mad Men, which offered a look inside the world of advertising, suggesting his show will be a drama focused on the gaming industry. Like Mad Men, the series will likely explore the inner workings of the business, potentially showing what it’s like behind the scenes. Layden stressed that he wants the show to be a story-driven drama about game development, rather than a documentary.
Shawn Layden, a former top executive at Sony, is exploring a potential TV series reminiscent of Mad Men, drawing on his extensive career in the gaming industry. He began at Sony in 1987, well before the first PlayStation, starting in communications. Over the years, he climbed the corporate ladder, holding leadership roles in Sony’s entertainment divisions across Europe and Japan. Layden also mentioned he’s working on a new project – a platform designed to better connect game developers directly with their fans.
As social media becomes increasingly vital in the gaming world, developers are connecting with fans more directly. Studios now commonly use platforms like Twitter to share updates, previews, and gather feedback. This focus on open communication and responsiveness is so important that the Game Awards recently added a “Best Community Support” category. According to Layden, gaming is on the verge of a significant shift, requiring publishers to re-evaluate how they support and collaborate with their developers.
Shawn Layden, a former PlayStation executive, recently spoke about how the gaming industry is evolving. The industry has shifted significantly since his time at PlayStation, with more and more independent game developers gaining prominence – even winning major awards, like “Game of the Year” at the 2025 Game Awards for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. We’re also seeing new countries, such as Saudi Arabia and China, becoming increasingly important in the gaming world. Layden’s upcoming television series promises a behind-the-scenes look at how this dynamic industry operates.
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2025-12-30 05:06